News Archive
This page contains old news articles.- Dragon Boat Race 2007
- Centenary Celebrations
- Tenants Forum 2007—12/07/2007
- Fifty Plus—31/05/2007
- Payzone—12/02/2007
- Charitable Conversion—01/12/2007
- BME Strategy—03/10/2006
Dragon Boat Race 2007
Arcon Housing Association joined forces with Tung Sing Housing Group and Arena Group to take part in the annual Dragon Boat Race at Salford Quays on Sunday 22nd July 2007.
There were 36 teams each consisting of 16 paddlers, a drummer and captain. Even though most of our team had never met before the race, we won all three heats, qualifying for the semi-finals. Unfortunately we were not quick enough to get to the finals, despite coming third in the semi-final. However, we were the highest placed Housing Association team and more importantly we raised nearly £400 for Cancer Research UK.
Centenary Celebrations
The James Ainsworth Almshouses in Heaton Norris, Stockport celebrated their centenary with a garden party on 24th July. The residents, their friends, relatives and invited guests enjoyed a picnic lunch provided by Arcon Housing Association, the new Trustees of the James Ainsworth Charity.
The Lord Mayor of Stockport, Councillor June Somekh gave a short speech and cut the ribbon on a “centenary bench”. Peter Hatfield, a long time voluntary member of the local committee and restoring architect, gave a brief history of the Charity, its founder and key moments in the first hundred years. He paid tribute to the Order Of Malta Homes Trust and the Housing Corporation for rescuing this wonderful group of twelve almshouses from near dereliction in 1989. John Connolly, chair of Arcon Housing Association, closed by thanking all involved and pledged the Association’s commitment to the future care and well being of the residents.
The almshouses are a local landmark, arranged in a crescent with Jacobean turrets to each end and a flourish of Edwardian detail. There are formal gardens to the front and a sweep of lawn to the rear, providing an excellent standard of accommodation for the elderly residents for one hundred years past and many more to come.
Tenants Forum 2007—12/07/2007
The Tenants forum was held on the 14th June 2007 at the Cross Street Chapel in Manchester.
Newsletter
The forum discussed how to improve the Arcon newsletter.
There were proposals to reduce its size to the more manageable A4 and to make it less formal.
Other ideas included more information about Arcon’s existing properties as well as new developments, more information about staff changes, more photographs, articles written by tenants, and lighter items such as recipes, quizzes and competitions.
The proposals will be considered by the Tenant Committee for future newsletters.
Services for elderly tenants
Arcon have several schemes for the over 55s, which have many tenants much older than 55. There was a proposal to investigate the provision of more services for the elderly or vulnerable.
This included providing more dispersed community alarm systems and the provision of a mobile warden who could visit especially vulnerable tenants and ensure that the appropriate external agencies were providing support where required.
It was agreed that Arcon should investigate this further and raise it at scheme meetings to gauge demand for these services.
Annual forum
The forum agreed to meet annually, as tenants can attend scheme meetings or join the Tenant Committee if they wish to be involved in decisions that effect where they live or in changes to Arcon’s policies and procedures, on a more regular basis.
If anyone would like more information on the Tenants Committee please contact David Lovelady on 0161 214 4120.
Fifty Plus—31/05/2007
Mrs Jackson has recently been appointed as the first tenant to serve full time on Arcon’s Board. Formerly Chair of the Tenant Committee before handing over to Leslin Simmons, Mrs Jackson has been a tenant of the Association since 1979.
As well as serving on Arcon’s Board, Mrs Jackson is also Chairman of a group in Trafford called 50+ Voice Network which has just celebrated its first anniversary at a recent launch event at Lancashire Cricket Club which was attended by nearly 200 people.
50+ Voice Network is a place for people aged 50 and over in Trafford to regularly find out about and discuss local issues, such as community safety, intergenerational activity, assistive technology, housing, and maximising income, directly with people from Trafford Council and local NHS. It brings together both individuals and existing groups so that people aged 50+ have a combined voice.
Mrs Jackson hopes more people in Trafford will join the group to ensure that those who are not yet 50 will have a better future. For more information contact Gillian Armstrong (50+ Involvement Officer, Park House, 73 Northenden Road, Sale, M33 2DG, telephone: 0161 973 5741)
Payzone—12/02/2007
As from 12th February 2007, you can now use your plastic payment card to pay your rent at any Payzone outlet, as well as at the Post Office. All you need to do is use your card in exactly the same way as at the Post Office.
Payzone is the UK’s largest network of branded payment sites with outlets selected for their long opening hours and ability to serve the local community. Customers in urban areas are never more than 1 mile from a Payzone outlet, or 5 miles in rural areas.
Just look out for the Payzone logo (at newsagents, petrol stations, etc), which will make paying your rent easier and more convenient for you.
If you do not have a plastic payment card and wish to pay your rent using this method then please contact the Finance Department.
Charitable Conversion—12/01/2007
In June 2005 the Board made the “in principle” decision to convert to charitable status subject to tenant consultation.
The consultation process was in three stages with discussion firstly at the Tenant Committee meeting held in August 2005 followed secondly by a presentation by Alistair Fletcher of Bremners and Paul Wainwright of Mitchell Charlesworth at the Tenants Forum held in September 2005. At both meetings the tenants were without exception in favour of conversion and were of the opinion that it was for the long term benefit of the Association.
In November 2005, letters were sent out to all tenants and leaseholders of the Association asking for their opinion on the conversion and all tenants who expressed their opinion either by letter, email or telephone were responded to. In total 44 responses were received of which 32 were unconditionally in favour and the rest were in favour subject to confirmation and reassurance that tenants would suffer no loss in respect of matters such as security of tenure, housing benefit entitlement and rent levels.
The Board called an extraordinary meeting at the end of January 2006 at which it considered the results of the consultation and has now agreed to proceed with the steps necessary to achieve conversion. This will include approval from the Housing Corporation and the adoption of Charitable Rules. At a Special General Meeting held on 5th September 2006, the shareholding membership approved the adoption of charitable rules and these were then registered by the Financial Services Authority on 9th October 2006. Confirmation was then received from HM Revenue & Customs in December 2006 that Arcon is a registered Charity for tax purposes.
BME Strategy—03/10/2006
Arcon has recently launched its Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Housing Strategy which is the culmination of 12 months work with tenants, staff and Board members.
Arcon recognise that we work in areas where there is a diverse population and we are committed to ensuring our services meet the differing needs of the community. Arcon aim to promote equality of access, respect diversity ensuring that we provide a high standard of service to all of our customers.
A dedicated BME strategy will not only ensure that we met regulatory guidance, it will help us to respond to the needs of customers and provide a service to communities of different ethnic backgrounds; ultimately allowing access to services for everyone.
Arcon’s strategy includes action plans which will be put into place in order that we deliver a much improved and responsive service, ensuring satisfaction levels from customers remain high.
